The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s leading producer of cobalt, has extended its suspension of cobalt exports by an additional three months, pushing the ban through to September 2025. The move is part of a broader effort to stabilize the global cobalt market, which has been facing significant oversupply and declining prices.
The initial suspension was introduced in February 2025 by ARECOMS, the country’s strategic minerals regulator. Since then, cobalt prices have shown temporary recovery, but structural challenges persist. Cobalt is primarily produced as a byproduct of copper mining, meaning that overall production has not adjusted significantly in response to market conditions.
The DRC government is also considering implementing a quota system that would limit the volume of cobalt exports allowed per producer. This proposal has divided industry stakeholders. Major mining companies such as Glencore have supported the idea of export quotas as a tool for market stabilization. However, others, including China Molybdenum (CMOC), the largest cobalt producer operating in the DRC, have expressed concern over continued restrictions, citing the impact on inventories and supply chain reliability.
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The export suspension has influenced global pricing dynamics. Earlier in the year, the announcement of the initial ban led to a notable increase in cobalt prices, with cobalt hydroxide and metal-grade cobalt both experiencing sharp gains. Nevertheless, some analysts caution that such measures may result in stockpiles merely shifting from consumer markets, such as China, to domestic warehouses within the DRC, rather than achieving a meaningful reduction in global supply.
In parallel, the electric vehicle (EV) industry continues to shift toward battery chemistries that rely less on cobalt, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technologies. This trend poses a long-term challenge to cobalt demand, even if short-term price pressures are alleviated by export restrictions.
The situation remains fluid, with ARECOMS expected to conduct further evaluations before the end of the current suspension period. The outcome may determine whether the country adopts a quota-based system or resumes unrestricted exports later in the year.
